I took the homebrew released CD, changed the banner screen and removed mnemonic's intro. This was all done by decompiling and recompiling the CD with the OperaFS[De]Compiler. OperaFS[De]Compiler doesn't generate a correct rom_tags though, so it has to be hex edited (or copied from Game Guru). This only has to be done the first time.

This boots on a Panasonic FZ-1. And, Alex's 3do disk check reports this as a good iso, with no errors. All of the md5 checksums are correct, and everything is signed.

I still need to clean up the toolkit a little bit.

The outstanding issues are:
1) I have to manually set the location of the signature file.
2) It does not check or fix the checksums on the kernel files. This is not a big deal with rebuilding a CD, but does cause problems with a game built with the 3do toolkit.
3) It does not handle CDs without a banner screen.

3DO Experience wrote:Well I don't know what you are doing different, I have tried so many different things with three different images and this last batch stays the same size but never loads.

What are trying it with?

If you're trying any of the SDK images, you'll have to replace everything in the system folder (except for the scripts folder), with the files from the homebrew CD or Game Guru. My guess is the SDK doesn't include software that will run on a production 3DO.

I was able to get orbatak working by decompiling it, replacing the system files, rebuilding, and signing.

So, it's either the system files or there are multiple copies of the data that need to be signed. Using OperaFS[DE]Compiler strips away the multiple copies of the data. And, if you just replace boot_code, it will hang on the banner screen.

Ok I've tried as many ways as I can. Even took the Game Guru, decompiled & recompiled then tried to sign and it didn't work. Obviously the thing works because you gave am image that did but it's either me or this crappy old laptop I'm forced to work on right now. I'll wait for the finished version.

3DO Experience wrote:Ok I've tried as many ways as I can. Even took the Game Guru, decompiled & recompiled then tried to sign and it didn't work. Obviously the thing works because you gave am image that did but it's either me or this crappy old laptop I'm forced to work on right now. I'll wait for the finished version.

Are you using:
'3DOEncrypt genromtags isoname.iso'?

OperaFS[DE]Compiler creates a partial rom tags file; 'generomtags' will create one that matches the system files from Game Guru/homebrew release.

Another this is to ensure there is a BannerScreen file in the PARCE_ folder.

Used the decompiler on the homebrew release (or Game Guru) to create PARCE_3DO* (or PARCE_GameGuru*)

Used the decompiler on Orbatak.

To use the decompiler, press the De-compile button (or the left button on the Russian version), and select the ISO. On larger isos, it can take a few minutes. On Vista the X will glow red, when a mouse pointer is over it.

In the PARCE_Orbatak directory, ensure there is a 'BannerScreen' file. If not, you can use the one from the homebrew signing kit or Game Guru/homebrew release.

Go into the System directory is both PARCE_* directories.

Copy every folder from the PARCE_3DO* (or PARCE_GameGuru), except Scripts, to the PARCE_Orbatak* folder.

Compile the ISO using OperaFS[DE]Compiler, this is the Compile button or the button on the right in the Russian version.
When doing this make sure that the PARCE_Orbatak folder is selected, and appears as an open folder. You have to double click on the folder. This was one of my first mistakes when I started messing with OperaFS[DE]Compiler.

If you end up with a large iso, or the program hangs, you haven't double clicked on the PARCE_* folder.

Using the iso from OperaFS[DE]Compiler type:
3DOEncrypt generomtags isoname.iso

I've seen that before, can't remember what caused it. If you can send me the first 8k of the file, I can see what it's having a problem reading. The genromtags should have fixed any problem with that though.

Let me make sure I have the latest version up. There was a problem where it wasn't writing the new rom tags. I checked the archive, and the source still has the bug in it, I'm not sure about the tool though. I will post an updated version when I get home.

looks like the latest version works. I got it too boot up to the banner (nice banner! lol) in freedo but the arcade proto i tried just hung in limbo from there. I'm going to try something else this time.

EDIT: I was able to get orbattak signed and booted. Latest toolkit worked for me. biggest problem is that double click in the compiler. wow, what an easy mistake to make.

Out of interest what software would be needed to write a new game for the 3DO. Do you have to use the mac toolkit software or can software be written in C++ on a PC and compiled to run on the 3DO some how. Excuse my question but I'm not a programmer just asking for a friend who is

Quagmire wrote:Out of interest what software would be needed to write a new game for the 3DO. Do you have to use the mac toolkit software or can software be written in C++ on a PC and compiled to run on the 3DO some how. Excuse my question but I'm not a programmer just asking for a friend who is

Ideally you need the mac software. But mnemonic's homebrew CD allowed you to run his Sonic demo, which was developed without the toolkit. There is source code to the toolkit routines, with a little work a PC toolkit could be created.

You would have to develop your own graphics format, or use some tool to convert into the 3DO formats.